Introduction

India’s demand for clean, reliable, and affordable energy is rising rapidly, and solar power is leading this transformation. Large scale solar parks have become a backbone of the renewable energy sector, enabling massive generation of green electricity. Alongside these parks, a revolutionary model has emerged that is making solar energy more accessible for industries: Open Access.

Open access allows commercial and industrial consumers to purchase electricity directly from solar parks, bypassing dependence on local distribution companies. This shift not only reduces energy costs but also accelerates the transition toward sustainability.

In this blog, we’ll break down what open access really means, how it works, and why it is becoming one of the most influential pathways toward large scale renewable energy adoption for businesses across India.

What Is a Solar Park?

A solar park is a large scale installation of solar panels spread across extensive land, built to produce clean electricity at utility scale. These parks include:

• Thousands of interconnected solar modules
• Inverters and transformers
• Internal transmission networks
• Substations and grid connection infrastructure

Solar parks allow industries to access clean energy without installing panels on their rooftops or land. They provide centralized generation and seamless energy delivery to multiple consumers.

They play a major role in reducing dependency on fossil fuel based electricity, lowering operational costs, and supporting long term sustainability goals.

Overview of Open Access in Solar Parks

An open access solar project supplies renewable energy directly to commercial and industrial consumers through the national or state electricity grid. In this model:

• Businesses do not need to install their own solar systems
• Power is generated at a solar park and delivered to the consumer
• Pricing is more competitive compared to grid tariffs
• Carbon footprint is reduced significantly

This has made open access one of the fastest-growing renewable energy models for industries in India.

Types of Open Access Models

1. Inter State Open Access

Electricity is transported from one state to another as per Central Electricity Regulatory Commission rules. Businesses can enter short term contracts or commit to long term agreements, sometimes up to 25 years.

2. Intra State Open Access

Power is procured within the same state following State Electricity Regulatory Commission guidelines. The structure is similar to interstate access but governed by state specific policies.

How Open Access Solar Works: Three Key Models

1. Captive Model

The consumer invests in the solar plant and uses the power exclusively for self consumption. Since the business owns the majority of the plant, several charges such as cross subsidy surcharge are waived. This option is ideal for high energy consuming industries looking for long term predictable power.

2. Group Captive Model

Multiple consumers pool their investment in a solar plant. To qualify, they must collectively own 26 percent of the project and consume 51 percent or more of the energy generated. It allows medium sized consumers to benefit from open access without establishing an entire plant alone.

3. Third Party PPA Model

Consumers sign a long term agreement to purchase renewable power from a developer without any upfront investment. Some surcharges may apply, but the electricity tariff is still considerably lower than traditional grid rates.

Benefits of Open Access in Solar Parks

Cost Savings

Open access solar can reduce electricity expense by 30 percent to 50 percent compared to grid power. In some states, exemptions on surcharges further improve savings. For energy intensive industries, the yearly cost reduction is substantial.

Sustainability and CSR

Open access enables industries to meet Renewable Purchase Obligations, reduce emissions, and strengthen their environmental and CSR commitments. This enhances brand value and aligns with global sustainability expectations.

Scalability and Accessibility

Industries can access renewable energy without owning land or building infrastructure. Even businesses with limited space can source green power effortlessly.

Ready Infrastructure

Solar parks provide ready-to-use infrastructure like land development, internal roads, transmission lines, and grid connectivity. Businesses do not have to deal with approvals, construction processes, or maintenance.

Real World Trends and Impact

Industrial and Corporate Adoption

Large manufacturers, IT companies, textiles, chemical industries, and commercial establishments are adopting open access solar to reduce power costs and transition to green energy. This model is witnessing rapid expansion due to its flexibility and long-term financial benefits.

State Level Expansion

Open access solar capacity in India has seen explosive growth. As of 2024, over 18 GW of open access projects are in development across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.

Heaven Designs, with experience in large scale engineering projects, supports industries in evaluating feasibility, designing layouts, preparing technical studies, and providing accurate generation estimates for open access participation.

How Heaven Designs Supports Open Access Projects

Open access solar projects require high precision engineering to ensure:

• Accurate performance modeling
• Proper transmission planning
• Optimized layout and land usage
• Regulatory compliant documentation
• Cost efficient design and safe electrical planning

Heaven Designs provides end to end solar design and engineering services for:

• 10 MW to 100 MW utility scale solar parks
• Captive and group captive solar projects
• Corporate sustainability roadmap planning
• Energy yield assessment and ROI calculation

With over 1000 MW of engineering experience, Heaven Designs ensures industries step confidently into open access solar with clarity and reliability.

Conclusion

Open access in solar parks is transforming the way industries source electricity in India. By enabling companies to purchase renewable power directly from large scale solar facilities, it eliminates the need for on site installations, lowers costs, and supports sustainability goals.

Whether through captive, group captive, or third party PPA structures, open access offers unmatched flexibility for businesses of every size. As more companies adopt this model, India moves closer to its vision of a clean, affordable, and sustainable energy future.

If you want expert guidance on designing open access solar projects or understanding feasibility for your business, Heaven Designs is here to help. With deep technical expertise and industry leading engineering support, we help industries make confident, informed, and profitable decisions.